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The Bob Claire Orchestra, 2012 Alameda Battle of the Bands Winner performs this Friday evening, July 12, at Alameda’s Crab Cove. Music starts at 5:30, the band will run through 2 lively sets of rock/soul/R&B/motown guaranteed to get you up on your feet and dancing along the shore of the bay. Bring a picnic and a lawn chair to this family friendly, spacious outdoor venue, there’s also a beer garden – making for an enjoyable summer night… Hope to see you there!

When word went out that there would be a Battle of the Bands in Alameda, Darlene put our name in for consideration. After weeks of waiting to hear back from the organizers, we were notified that we had been selected to compete. The lineup was announced as Rene Escovedo opening, then us, and finishing up with the Jim Parodi band. Based in part on rabid crowd participation (we brought everyone we know, or so it seemed), we were announced as the winners

3 of the last 4 years, BCO has played the Glorietta (where Sammy goes to school) Sweetheart dance. This time around, our line up was fronted by Ann Hughes and Earl Harell, with Orlando on drums. Alas, likely our last engagement there. The gig was followed by a hearty meal of Mexican food at El Jarro.

Operating under an alias, BCO played their 7th (!!) Corpus Christi Crab Feed on Jan.24, a fundraiser of epic proportion. The night the band was known as “The Confirmed” celebrated Darlene’s send-off gig, as she’s now doing a 3 month engagement in Japan. Our old friend Gail came along for the “British Invasion” set, Nancy CRANKED on sax, Orlando laid down a fat back beat, and Ray delivered some polished and soulful vocals.

We have the distinction of being on the bill at the first performance at the newly rennovated historic Fox Theater in Oakland’s burgeoning uptown district. Headlining the show: the Reverend Al Green. A great set of photos appears here, check ‘em out!